MBFW Tbilisi returns with its first physical edition after Covid-19
Roberta HERRERA
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Georgian fashion is returning to the catwalk. From May 4 to 8, the Georgian fashion scene will celebrate its creativity at the 15th edition of MBFW Tbilisi. The event, spearheaded by entrepreneur Sofia Tchkonia, will showcase collections for the upcoming fall/winter season through fashion shows held at the former Coca-Cola Factory in Tbilisi and several historic locations around the capital.
Parallel to the fashion shows, MBFW Tbilisi will also host a range of conferences, exhibitions, and panel discussions with a focus on innovation within the fashion and art scenes, both in Georgia and internationally. This is not the first time that the capital has hosted events focused on culture. In addition to the runway shows, last November, Tchkonia collaborated with art curator Serge Kerbitskyi to organise Culture Week Tbilisi, a cultural festival dedicated to supporting the Ukrainian art scene in the face of the Russian invasion.
Additionally, the event will feature the BeNext international design competition and the announcement of its 2023 winner. Founded in 2010, the competition, focused on emerging talent, aims to “provide support, visibility, job opportunities and internships to young talents from around the world,” as stated by the event’s organisers.
The Georgian Fashion Foundation, responsible for supporting the event, has promoted over 150 design projects over the past 15 years. In an effort to provide financial and business support to Georgian representatives in the fashion, art, and creative industries, the organisation has launched a prize for established designers and brands. This initiative aims to offer training opportunities and collaborations with leading industry figures to local creatives. As stated in an official statement, the ultimate goal is to “unlock the full potential of Georgia’s cultural and creative industries while embracing its cultural identity and heritage.”
The last physical edition of MBFW Tbilisi took place before the outbreak of the pandemic, in late 2019. At that time, the event featured the participation of local brands such as Anouki, Blikvanger, Bessarion, Datuna, Aleksander Akhalkatsishvili, and even the Spanish brand Dominnico, as part of an exchange partnership with MBFW Madrid.
